Drapery bottom retention system

ABSTRACT

A drapery bottom retention system includes a drapery bottom retention rod mounted to a surface located between a window bottom and a top of a window-mounted HVAC system. The drapery bottom retention rod keeps drapery bottoms from interfering with the top and front of a window-mounted HVAC system and enable drapery panels to remain closed in front of a window for room privacy. The drapery bottom retention system can also include a means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position while the drapery bottom retainer rod keeps drapery bottoms open and away from the front and top of a HVAC system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION

The present invention claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/693,084, entitled “Drapery Bottom Retention System,” filed Aug. 24, 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention pertains to curtains and draperies and, in particular, to devices for stylishly retaining bottom portions of curtains and draperies in an open position when retracted while keeping the portion of curtains in front of a window closed for privacy and energy efficiency.

BACKGROUND

Historically, curtains and drapes have been retracted on curtain rods from which they hang. When retracted, the curtains form loose even vertical folds, accordion style. When extended, the curtains partially or fully flatten. Often, the vertical folds remain straight without any attempt to tie back or otherwise ornament the curtains.

Tying back draperies at an open position is not only for aesthetic purposes, but can be of necessity where window air conditioners are involved. Combined window air conditioning and heating units are typically located beneath a window. Such is the case in most hotel rooms. The problem is that most draperies extend just over, or completely over the air conditioning/heating units. In order to get the maximum efficiency out of an air condition/heating unit mounted beneath a window, curtains must be left in an open position. As an option, various ornamental cords, strips of cloth, and ornamental brackets and pins have been used to tie back the curtains or drapes in a pleasing and stylish manner; however, these tie backs do not solve the problem where windows must be left completely open to enable air to adequately flow into the room; but, this exposes the occupants to a lack of privacy. The following are actual comments by hotel guests encountering the problem:

-   -   The room was very nice; however, the very thin curtains billowed         out over the air conditioner, trapping the coed air between the         windows and curtains. As the temperature outdoors was over 90,         the air was a necessity so we had to sleep with the curtains         open which made for a very early wake up call from the sunlight         streaming in.     -   Window unit A/C meant you had to sleep with the curtains open so         as not to interfere with the air flow from AC.     -   Minor annoyances during our stay included long (really long)         waits for the elevators at all hours of the day/night and the         fact that the air conditioning unit is located BEHIND the         curtains.     -   The downsides: (1) the window A/C unit is covered up by a heavy         curtain, which means that the room gets very hot if the curtain         is closed because the cool an just stays right there (and the/AC         cuts off as a result) . . .     -   A little out dated and the room had a window air condition unit,         but that could be the only thing I could complain about.

What is clearly needed is a way to accommodate window air conditioning units that are still in wide use within hotel/motel rentals while still preserving the privacy of room occupants. With a view toward developing more useful and stylish devices to gather and tie back the lower portion of curtains and drapes interfering with window air conditioning/heating systems, the following drapery bottom retention systems have been created.

SUMMARY

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a drapery bottom retention system that allows for the retention of draperies/curtains bottoms in the open position to avoid interference with window heating/air conditioning (HVAC) units typically mounted beneath windows, while still allowing the top portion of draperies/curtains to remain closed to provide privacy to room occupants.

It is another feature of the present invention to provide a drapery bottom retention system in the form of a horizontal bar mountable beneath a window bottom and above a HVAC system to retain drapery bottom away from HVAC flow venting.

It is yet another feature of the present invention to provide a means to retain drapery/curtain panels located above a HVAC system in a closed, privacy position while still enabling flow from the HVAC unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art depiction of a below window mounted HVAC system and window drapery panels mounted on a curtain rod located above the window and placed in an open position to accommodate HVAC air flow;

FIG. 2 illustrates the prior art depiction of FIG. 1 with drapery panels closed, but interfering with the HVAC system and restricting airflow;

FIG. 3 illustrates a drapery bottom retention system used in association with window mounted HVAC systems to preserve privacy yet avoid interference with room HVAC systems;

FIG. 4 illustrates a drapery bottom retention system used in association with window mounted HVAC systems to preserve privacy yet avoid interference with room HVAC systems including means to retain drapery/curtain panels located above a HVAC system;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective of an embodiment for a drapery retention bar mounted to a wall above the top of a HVAC system; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective of another embodiment for a drapery retention bar mounted to a wall above the top of a HVAC system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is a window 110 having a HVAC system 120 mounted beneath it and drapery panels 130/140 hanging in an open position over the window 110 from a curtain rod 150 located above the window 110. The drapery panels 130/140 can sometimes be long enough to rest near the top 122 of the HVAC system or may be long enough to completely cover the ton 122 and front 124 of a HVAC system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical situation found in many hotel rooms when drapery panels 130/140 are placed in a closed position over the window and inter (ere with the top of a HVAC system 120 where HVAC flow veins (not shown) are typically located. This typically happens where the curtain panels 130/140 are longer than the window 110 to a point that they interfere with the top of the HVAC system 120.

FIG. 3 illustrates one aspect of a drapery bottom retainer system 200 including a drapery bottom retainer rod 210 mounted on wall surface 160 between the window bottom (not shown) and above the HVAC system 120. The drapery bottom retainer rod holds drapery panels 130/140 against the wall surface 160 and away from HVAC venting 126 located near, or at, the top 122 or trout the HVAC system 120.

FIG. 4 illustrates another aspect of the drapery bottom retainer system 300 that includes means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a windrow while the drapery bottom retainer rod 310 keeps drapery bottoms open and away from the front and top of a HVAC system 120. The means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window can include: hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro, with hook material secured to edge of one panel and loop material secured to the other panel so that the two panels can become attached), snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings (e.g., string attached to each panel edge), magnets, etc.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective (looking down onto the top 122 of a HVAC system 120) of an embodiment related to FIG. 3 for a drapery retention bar 210 mounted to a wall 160 above the top of a HVAC system 120. Drapery would be retained within the bar 210 against the wall 160 and away from venting 126 associated with the HVAC system 120.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective (looking down onto the top 122 of a HVAC system 120) of an alternate embodiment related to FIG. 4 for a drapery retention bar 310 mounted to a wall 160 above the top 122 of an HVAC system 120. With this bar 310, drapery would not be retained within the bar against the wall, but would instead be retained within slots 320 formed at each end of the bar. For longer draperies, this would allow drapery panel 130/140 to be moved around the left and right ends of the HVAC unit 120 and drop to the sides of the HVAC unit 120 away from venting 126. When used together with the means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position shown in FIG. 4, drapery panels can remain closed in front of the window for privacy, but avoid venting associated with the HVAC unit. 

1. A drapery bottom retention system, comprising a drapery bottom retention rod mounted to a surface located between a window bottom and a top of a window-mounted HVAC system, said drapery bottom retention rod for keeping drapery bottom from interfering with the top and front of a window-mounted HVAC system and enabling drapery panels to remain closed in front of a window for privacy.
 2. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 1, further comprising a means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window while the drapery bottom retainer rod keeps drapery bottoms open and away from the front and top of a HVAC system.
 3. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 2, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro, with hook material secured to edge of one panel and loop material secured to the other panel so that the two panels can become attached), snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings (e.g., string attached to each panel edge), and magnets.
 4. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 1, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined by said rod and said wall.
 5. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 4, further comprising a means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window while the drapery bottom retainer rod keeps drapery bottoms open and away from the front and top of a HVAC system, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material, snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings, and magnets.
 6. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 1, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined at each end of said rod.
 7. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 2, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined by said rod and said wall.
 8. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 2, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined at each end of said rod.
 9. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 7, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro, with hook material secured to edge of one panel and loop material secured to the other panel so that the two panels can become attached), snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings (e.g., string attached to each panel edge), and magnets.
 10. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 8, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro, with hook material secured to edge of one panel and loop material secured to the other panel so that the two panels can become attached), snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings (e.g., string attached to each panel edge), and magnets.
 11. A drapery bottom retention system, comprising: a drapery bottom retention rod mounted to a surface located between a window bottom and a top of a window-mounted HVAC system, said drapery bottom retention rod for keeping drapery bottom from, interfering with the top and front of a window-mounted HVAC system and enabling drapery panels to remain closed in front of a window for privacy; and a means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position while the drapery bottom retainer rod keeps drapery bottoms open and away from the front and top of a HVAC system.
 12. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 11, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro, with hook material secured to edge of one panel and loop material secured to the other panel so that the two panels can become attached), snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings (e.g., string attached to each panel edge), and magnets.
 13. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 11, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined by said rod and said wall.
 14. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 11, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined at each end of said rod.
 15. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 12, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined by said rod and said wall.
 16. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 12, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined at each end of said rod.
 17. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 13, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro, with hook material secured to edge of one panel and loop material secured to the other panel so that the two panels can become attached), snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings (e.g., string attached to each panel edge), and magnets.
 18. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 14, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro, with hook material secured to edge of one panel and loop material secured to the other panel so that the two panels can become attached), snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings (e.g., string attached to each panel edge), and magnets.
 19. A drapery bottom retention system, comprising: a drapery bottom retention rod mounted to a surface located between a window bottom and a top of a window-mounted HVAC system, said drapery bottom retention rod for keeping drapery bottom from interfering with the top and front of a window-mounted HVAC system and enabling drapery panels to remain closed in front of a window for privacy, wherein said drapery bottom retention rod is attachable to a wall between said window and said HVAC system and retains drapery within a space defined at each end of said rod; and a means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of the window while the drapery bottom retainer rod keeps drapery bottoms open and away from the front and top of a HVAC system.
 20. The drapery bottom retention system of claim 19, wherein said means to retain drapery/curtain panels attached in a closed, privacy position in front of a window includes at least one of: hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro, with hook material secured to edge of one panel and loop material secured to the other panel so that the two panels can become attached), snaps, metal hooks, clips, button and eyelet, tie downs strings (e.g., string attached to each panel edge), and magnets. 